Bicycle Thread Deux

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by a.tramp, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    Good: Climbed 1,000 ft on a ride for the first time

    Bad: Did not know I'd be doing that much and had to take a $50 Uber back to my car
     
  2. a.tramp

    a.tramp Insubordinate and churlish
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    :roll:
     
    MA likes this.
  3. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
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    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    Beat my longest ride by 50% today. Also got lost. Also crashed.
     
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  4. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
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    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    Did my first 40 mile ride today. Last 3 miles just killed me. I basically live at the center of a bunch of trails, that all shoot off like spokes. So pretty much all of my rides are out to some point and back. Today I rode out to and up a dam. Here are a couple pictures from that:
    [​IMG]
    That's Red Rocks in the background.
    [​IMG]
    This is just looking back East.
     
  5. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
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    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    Just did this:
    [​IMG]
    Just a little 70% increase over my previous max. But this time on a 5.4% average grade and 6.8% max.

    Oh, and I did actually ride back to my bike this time (because it was all downhill).
     
    #1855 MA, Jun 8, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2019
  6. AHebrewToo

    AHebrewToo Albino Hebrew Extraordinaire
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    Today my wife was struck broadside by a hill billy in a beater truck running a stop sign. She will be OK, but I’ve never been less interested in an apology in my life. Fucking dickhead.
     
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  7. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
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    Jesus. Glad she'll be okay.
     
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  8. a.tramp

    a.tramp Insubordinate and churlish
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    Glad she is going to be fine.
     
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  9. AHebrewToo

    AHebrewToo Albino Hebrew Extraordinaire
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    No broken bones but a severe psoas strain. She can’t move without assistance from me. It’s pretty rough. Looking at wheelchairs now.
     
  10. prerecordedlive

    prerecordedlive Sworn Enemy of Standard Time
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    Florida State SeminolesTampa Bay RaysOrlando CityWolverhampton WanderersBarAndGrill

    Bought a Cannondale Optimo today. First road bike for me so I just went with the Claris groupset. I don’t need anything too fancy just yet.

    I’m excited to start pushing past 25 milers.
     
  11. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    Are people still riding bikes?

    I've gone full mountain bike
     
  12. prerecordedlive

    prerecordedlive Sworn Enemy of Standard Time
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    I am. I’m fully outfitting my garage for working on our bikes and going to eventually get one of the indoor cycle stations to toggle my road bike onto. Been having a blast but haven’t logged anything past 15 miles yet.
     
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  13. ohbluefan

    ohbluefan Well-Known Member
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    Thinking of doing an Ironman next year, anyone know of a cheap tri bike to get me thru training and the race? Would hate to spend more than a grand for something I’ll use for only a year or so.
     
  14. nofatchildren - cissp

    nofatchildren - cissp Free Da Guys
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    Tiger Woods

    I did the Prudential Ride London a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty fuckin incredible.
     
  15. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
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    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    Just did my first half century today.

    I was really unprepared for it and shouldn't have done it, but frankly I just needed the distraction.
     
  16. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    I hear its a bit of a clusterfuck...were you able to get out ahead of all that
    fuck yeah dude
     
  17. nofatchildren - cissp

    nofatchildren - cissp Free Da Guys
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    Tiger Woods

    There's probably too many people, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of it any.

    There were certainly some spots that were full on clusterfuck. We had to come to a complete stop at the base of Leith Hill and wait 20 minutes or so to ride up. It was just too narrow for that many people, and to make things worse there were too many people who couldn't make it up, so half the road is blocked with people walking.

    Having said that, it's not a race, so it doesn't really matter, unless you are being way too much of a try hard.

    There were some ugly crashes though. I think there are too many people who have no idea how to ride in a group, compounded by the fact that you'll have people out there that can barely go 14mph, and then full on pacelines coming through them at 25+ mph.

    Still totally worth it.
     
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  18. timo

    timo g'day, mate
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    donate to help rescue animals and/or the Red Cross in Australia, win a chance at a bike frame.
     
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  19. TimJimothy

    TimJimothy Well-Known Member
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    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City Royals

    Hello, fellows. I'm getting ready to buy a new bike. In the market for something that I can do a little bit of everything with. Think I'm going to go with a Surly Cross Check. Now, I can get it with either drop or flat bars. I keep going back and forth over which to get.

    - the flat bar version is 1x9 speed, drop version is 1x10
    - drop has bar end shifters...which don't have the best reviews/reputation (that I've read)
    - flat might be better for my soon to be 41 year old back/neck?
    - drop is more efficient/faster...but doubt I'll be entering any races anytime soon.
    - drop seems to be more popular
    - flat would prob be more stable and agile?

    Which do you gentlemen prefer? And remember, aerodynamics are not a huge factor for me since I'm old and fairly fat.
     
  20. timo

    timo g'day, mate
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    I'm slightly older than you and also on the hefty side these days, and use drop bars on my commuter (the very similar Soma double cross). I used to have brake shifters on that bike but wore them out and switched to bar ends set to friction. They work fine. If you're worried about your back, you could always put on a +17 degree boner stem.
    https://fairwheelbikes.com/fair-wheel-kalloy-uno-stealth-stem/
    Wide "gravel" type bars are also widely available and all the rage these days. You'll need a shorter stem if you go that route.

    If you decide to go flat bar (and there's several advantages to flat bars, particularly if you're lugging groceries or something) have you considered this bike?
    https://allcitycycles.com/bikes/super_professional_apex_1
    All City and Surly are QBP brands, so any shop that carries Surly can get All City, and vice versa.
    Disc brakes are going to be better than the brakes on the cross check for stopping, particularly in the wet (although more expensive and sometimes more finicky to maintain). Also, this bike's geometry is set up for flat bars as opposed to the aggressive cyclocross geometry of the cross check.

    Anyway, you could always start out with flat bars and switch over to drop bars if you want later. Would just need to buy a drop bar ($30), some brake levers ($25), a rear bar end shifter ($50), some new cable ($25), and bar tape ($10).

    Word of advice: if you do get a crosscheck, and it comes with cantilever brakes, I would immediately switch out the front one for something like this:
    https://www.treefortbikes.com/Tektr...MIpprNzMG95wIVUuDICh3brwGnEAQYBCABEgJAo_D_BwE

    Edit: looks like Crosschecks come standard with V-brakes these days, so last point is moot (unless you get drop bars, switch to brake shifters.. in which case the cable pull ratio will necessitate a brake switch out to make them compatible.)
     
    #1870 timo, Feb 6, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2020
    TimJimothy likes this.
  21. TimJimothy

    TimJimothy Well-Known Member
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    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City Royals

    Yeah I've been looking at all-city bikes too...although I was looking at the Space Horse instead of that new model. Looks like a nice bike. If I decide on flat, I think I like that one better than the surly.

    At this point I think I'm leaning towards drop bars. If it affects my back, I'll get a stem similar to the one you listed. I just think, in the long run, I'll have more fun with the drops. And I could switch to a wider drop bar down the road if needed.

    As far as brakes go, I'd probably rather have disc brakes, but don't think it's a make-or-break issue. I'd rarely, if ever, ride in the rain...and I'd like to be able to adjust my brakes as needed. Rim breaks are old-school, but I think they'd do me fine.

    Appreciate the advice. I'll probably change my mind another 13 or 30 times before I actually make the purchase.
     
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  22. nofatchildren - cissp

    nofatchildren - cissp Free Da Guys
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    Tiger Woods

    I haven't ridden basically at all in like 6 months, and I just took the whip out for a quick 15 mile spin. I wanted to die the entire time. It takes a week or two for my lungs to decide to work properly after a long layoff, and my body absolutely does not want to function when it's less than 60 or so degrees out.

    When I took my gilet off after the ride the entire right shoulder was covered in snot :laugh:
     
  23. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    I haven't been riding either, tennis has been mt focus lately. Hopped on the bike about 2 weeks ago and almost died
     
  24. TimJimothy

    TimJimothy Well-Known Member
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    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City Royals

    I was getting ready to buy my first big boy bike right before the world blew up. :feelsbadman:
     
  25. goheels10

    goheels10 Well-Known Member
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    i haven't been riding as much either. i've been hit by a car twice in the past 6 years and its totally shaken me. never had an issue my first 10 years of riding.

    i did get out on Saturday though. I strapped my 30+ lb 3.5 year old into his Thule seat and rode 20 miles of hilly, rural dirt roads. it definitely got the juices flowing again.
     
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  26. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    Any recommendations for a bike kid trailer
     
  27. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    Yeah I've been hit a couple of times too, and a few more close calls. Thats why I moved to a MTB, I'm thinking about getting into gravel over road once I come back.
     
  28. goheels10

    goheels10 Well-Known Member
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    North Carolina TarheelsCleveland BrownsUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    I have a Burley that works just fine. Its not perfect but was well worth the $75 I paid for it.

    Not a trailer, but I have one of these too. They suck if you have steep hills to climb that require getting out of the saddle, but its a lot easier to maneuver your bike than having a trailer attached..
     
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  29. Druce

    Druce Fuck football.
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  30. Hank Scorpio

    Hank Scorpio Globex Corporation, Philanthropist, Supervillain
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    Due to some knee issues (I'm guessing runners knee) biking has been my only form of cardio exercise since my gym closed a few weeks ago.

    Well my gear shifter broke and chain fell off about 2.5 miles from my house on Friday. I was able to get the chain back on, but only on the highest setting, so it felt like peddling through mud the rest of the way home. Took it to the shop and due to the part being somewhat difficult to find (it's an old bike) and because of how backed up they are with people suddenly biking again, it could be weeks before I get it back

    :(
     
  31. Kevintensity

    Kevintensity Poster/Posting Game Coordinator
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    I just changed the gear shifter and cable on a bicycle the other day, watched a couple YouTube videos, didn't take long. Ordered the part on Amazon
     
  32. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

    Not that it’s rocket surgery, but are you planning on building it yourself?
     
  33. Druce

    Druce Fuck football.
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    yeah most likely
     
  34. Druce

    Druce Fuck football.
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    North Carolina TarheelsNotre Dame Fighting IrishAtlanta BravesDetroit LionsBarcelonaSneakers

    Anyone? timo BrickTamland sorry for the tags, his birthday is next week and wife just sprung this idea on me yesterday so I've been told I "better order one today"
     
  35. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
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    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    What kind of riding are they doing? Is it just to go down the street to their friends house, biking around with friends, going on actual hard rides for exercise, etc?
     
  36. Druce

    Druce Fuck football.
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    North Carolina TarheelsNotre Dame Fighting IrishAtlanta BravesDetroit LionsBarcelonaSneakers

    Mostly just around the neighborhood, they do some "offroading" if you will because we live in a new development with a lot of empty dirt fields if you will but those will be full of houses within the next year so that'll probably diminish
     
  37. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
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    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    I don't have any experience with fixie bikes but my understanding is that they are ideal for flat pavement. The lack of gears means you can't make the resistance easier for hills or off roading. It can be done but it's certainly more difficult.
     
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  38. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

    I like what I’ve seen from the REI Co-op bikes.

    They seem to be of good quality and the best balance of a properly assembled bicycle from a more or less big box store.

    Think I’m buying my nephew their 24” option, rigid 8spd with mechanical disc brakes.
     
  39. timo

    timo g'day, mate
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    OK, so A.) it comes with a flip-flop hub, which is good, because he'll most likely want to ride it freehub (meaning you can coast without pedaling on downhills and when you want to stop, as opposed to actually fixed gear). B.) if he's just riding it around without too many hills, that bike will be fine. If there's steep hills, it's hi-ten steel (read, heavy) so it's going to be a bit of a pig on climbs without any gears. C.) it comes with 25mm width tires, which are a bit narrow for riding in dirt or dirt trails. Not sure what the tire clearance is with that bike, but typically those types of bikes will take at least a 28mm width 700c tire. Get him a nice set of panaracers or something when he wears the tires that comes with the bike out.

    That said, you can do a lot worse than a virtually maintenance free single speed bike, and purple is a fast color.
     
  40. H/T

    H/T Top 3 Swansea City AFC Poster
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    So I'm fat and pretty tired of being fat as I used to be pretty damn athletic and now have a son I want to enjoy for a long time.

    I had a Trek 820 that I never rode that I got as a business gift a couple years ago. Got that thing tuned up a week ago and started riding. Been doing both on trails and road. So far just smaller a rides for a few miles here and there.

    Any tips for a beginner?
     
    #1890 H/T, Apr 27, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2020
    Kent Pavelka likes this.
  41. H/T

    H/T Top 3 Swansea City AFC Poster
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    Oh and really stupid question....can someone explain the gears on a bicycle and when to use what for me. Lol I know embarrassing.

    I have 3 gears on my left side and 7 gears on my right handle bar.

    Obviously I do understand that dropping the gear will change the friction level. But I'd like to understand more of when and why should I make changes as I ride, so I can ride more effectively.
     
  42. prerecordedlive

    prerecordedlive Sworn Enemy of Standard Time
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    I have the same setup and live in an extremely hilly area. I stick to the middle gear on the left and really fluctuate on the right. You’ll mostly be shifting on the right and if you’re exercising, you’ll know to shift based on your cadence. A good home base is 60-70 RPM which is easy to feel out. If your rotations slow down, shift down. If they speed up considerably, shift up.

    I’m on a road bike and put in anywhere from 20 to 100 miles a week. That strategy has stuck with me basically the entire time.
     
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  43. infected donkey

    infected donkey Arkansas Razorbacks
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    Come on! Lets go ride they said. It'll be a short mountain bike ride they said. 17 miles of shit later (first ride in over a year) I'm done.
     
  44. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
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    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    What's everyone's favorite bike ride snack? Trying to brainstorm ideas for my ride tomorrow.
     
  45. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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  46. Napoleon Bonerfart

    Napoleon Bonerfart Well-Known Member
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    B59C05A1-A599-4865-A0B5-578AFA408004.jpeg

    S-works tarmac. My pride and joy.
     
  47. Walt Disney

    Walt Disney #Dawgzy
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    Georgia BulldogsManchester City

    Trying to mix some cycling in with running

    How much for a decent starter road bike?
    Can I get a ok bike for around 1500?
     
  48. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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  49. Kent Pavelka

    Kent Pavelka Let's pause 10 seconds for station identification
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    Greetings.

    I’ve never been in this thread before. Not sure why really.

    I’ve been an avid rider for about eleven years. Had my best year in 2020 since 2013, which was the year before we had our kid.

    Live in Minnesota and ride year-round. Got a fat bike last week, and I’m just having an insanely fun time. First off-road riding I’ve ever done.

    Checked out the thread to see if there were any other fatbikers out there on TMB. Does t seem like it but I read the last eight pages of the thread and passed out some likes.

    2020 was a shit year but having the stress-relieving qualities of cycling was never so important.

    Anyway to anybody winter riding, get after it, and hopefully everybody else is getting some training in.

    :beerchug: